Pets, Pesos, Passports for Mexico

PETS

If you are planning on taking a trip to Mexico with a pet, or you have decided that Mexico is where you are going to retire, you can take that beloved pet of yours with you, as long as you follow the rules.

You will need to have a U.S. veterinarian fill out an International Health Certificate (form 77-043), dated not less than one month nor more than 12 months previously, and signed by your veterinarian.

The certificate will state the pet is in good health and list their inoculations for rabies and distemper.

You, yourself, may contact your local U.S. Customs office of write U.S. Customs, P.O. Box 7407, Washington D.C. 20044 for a pamphlet called “Pets, Wildlife and U.S. Customs”.

Call your vet well in advance to make sure he has the forms for taking a pet out of the country.

Pesos to Dollars

You probably should always try to exchange your U.S. dollars for pesos at a bank, especially when you’re not that familiar with the going exchange rate. They will almost always give you the correct and best exchange rate.

Beware the guy on the corner – he may offer you a whole stack of paper that can look appealing, but may be worth 50 cents U.S.

However, you can safely go to a casa de cambio, where you may or may not get a bit lower exchange rate than at the bank, but maybe not have to stand in line so long. Just check the rates posted – there are many of these cambios – the rates vary day to day.